But developer IO’s future could now be hanging in the balance, as the continuity of the Hitman franchise depends on whether giant Japanese publisher Square Enix can come to terms with a suitable buyer. But a new development in this story suggests a buyout might be on the cards now, as IO recently tweeted that it was laying out staff so that the studio would be “better equipped for our future adventures”.

Of course, it’s always a sad thing when studios close down or are forced to let staff go. But clearly IO is in a sticky situation here, and some downsizing might be in order if it wants to survive, now that it has lost the support of a major publisher like Square Enix. So here’s hoping that another publisher picks up IO Interactive, and that we know more about the upcoming season of Hitman the Danish studio was planning to release soon enough.